Search Results (408)

Postharvest quality losses limit the storage life of strawberries, highlighting the need for environmentally friendly preservation approaches. In this study, CaO-Based nanoparticles were green-synthesized using hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent, characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and applied to Portola and Monterey strawberries at concentrations of 50, 100, 150, and 200 ppm. XRD analysis confirmed CaO as the main crystalline phase, with CaCO₃ identified as a secondary crystalline phase, whereas the presence of metallic Ca could not be confirmed unambiguously. The fruit were stored at 1 ± 0.5 °C and approximately 90% relative humidity for 21 days. The effects of CaO-NP treatments varied according to cultivar, concentration, storage period, and the quality parameter evaluated. In Portola, the 100 ppm treatment resulted in the lowest weight loss, while the 50 ppm treatment maintained the highest firmness and total monomeric anthocyanin content at the end of storage. The 200 ppm treatment produced the lowest numerical decay rate, although it was statistically similar to the control and 100 ppm treatments. In Monterey, the 50 ppm treatment maintained the highest firmness and showed the lowest weight loss among the nanoparticle treatments; however, it did not reduce weight loss below the control and resulted in the highest decay rate. The 100, 150, and 200 ppm treatments maintained decay rates comparable to the control. The 150 ppm treatment maintained comparatively high soluble solids content in both cultivars, while the 200 ppm treatment resulted in the highest total phenolic content in Monterey. No sustained improvement in total antioxidant capacity was observed. Overall, no single CaO-NP concentration was consistently effective across all quality attributes or both cultivars, indicating that these coatings require cultivar- and quality-target-specific optimization. Full article

The essential oil (EO) industry generates large volumes of solid distillation residues that are commonly discarded as waste, despite their potential as a source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. This study evaluated the chemical quality and the volatile profile of four types of exhausted biomasses (EBs) obtained after steam distillation of EOs from bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), lavandin (L. angustifolia × L. latifolia) and two industrial hemp specimens (Carifit1p, a breeding line, and Codimono, a cultivar), with a view to their potential valorisation in animal feeding. The nutritional composition of the distillation residues was determined according to AOAC methods, while the headspace volatile fraction was characterised by HS-SPME–GC/MS. The EBs were generally characterised by a high fibre content, with the highest crude fibre and NDF values in whole lavender and lavandin plants, whereas the industrial hemp line Carifit1p showed the highest crude protein (17.1% DM) and ash contents. The volatile profiles of the residues differed markedly from those typical of the corresponding fresh EOs: the bay laurel residue was dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons (74.5%) with strongly depleted 1,8-cineole (1.9%), while lavender and lavandin retained high levels of β-caryophyllene (35.8% and 32.4%, respectively). Industrial hemp residues were enriched in oxygenated sesquiterpenes, with caryophyllene oxide reaching 21.2% in Carifit1p and exceeding β-caryophyllene. Overall, the results indicate that EO exhausted biomasses retain a species-specific profile of fibre, residual nutrients and less volatile, less water-soluble terpenoids, supporting their potential reuse as feed ingredients and contributing to a more sustainable, near-zero-waste distillation supply chain. Full article

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) inflorescences have been extensively characterized for their bioactive compounds, whereas less information is available on hemp leaves despite their potential as a source of nutrients and phytochemicals. This study compared leaves and inflorescences of four organically grown hemp cultivars (Finola, Futura 75, Dioica, and Kompolti) in terms of cannabinoid, terpene, and fatty acid profiles, lipid quality indices, and in vitro antibacterial activity. Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated using MIC, MBC, and time–kill assays. Total cannabinoid content was approximately 2.7-fold higher in inflorescences than in leaves, which were also generally richer in terpenes. Leaves showed a more favorable fatty acid profile, with higher n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid proportions and a lower n-6/n-3 ratio. All extracts exhibited antibacterial activity. Among the tested bacteria, S. aureus was the most susceptible to the hemp extracts, with both growth inhibition and bactericidal activity observed at the lowest tested concentration (MIC/MBC = 0.005%), compared with 0.625% for E. coli and 1.25–2.5% for P. aeruginosa, depending on the extract. Finola and Kompolti inflorescence extracts showed the fastest bactericidal activity against S. aureus. These findings demonstrate distinct and complementary characteristics of hemp leaves and inflorescences and provide a basis for further investigation of their potential relevance to canine nutrition. Full article

Industrial hemp is a chemically rich plant increasingly explored within sustainable production systems aimed at the full utilization of all plant fractions. While hemp inflorescences have been extensively investigated, the biological potential of seed-depleted infructescences remains largely underexplored. This study compared essential oils (EOs) distilled from inflorescences and seed-depleted infructescences of hemp (Cannabis sativa L. cv. Futura 75). Their chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and their cytotoxicity, hemocompatibility, effects on blood coagulation, and antibacterial activity against a panel of 11 Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and microaerophilic bacterial strains were evaluated. The major EO constituents included α-Pinene, (E)-Caryophyllene, Myrcene, α-Humulene, Caryophyllene oxide, and Cannabidiol. EOs obtained from seed-depleted infructescences exhibited distinct chemical profiles, low cytotoxicity toward BJ human skin fibroblasts, minimal haemolytic activity, no significant effects on blood coagulation, and, in most cases, stronger antibacterial activity than inflorescence-derived EOs. Particularly high activity was observed against skin- and oral-associated bacteria, including Cutibacterium acnes and Streptococcus species. These findings demonstrate that seed-depleted infructescences represent underutilized post-harvest biomass and a valuable and sustainable source of biologically active EOs, supporting their further investigation for potential pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and oral healthcare applications. Full article

Cannabis sativa is a multi-use crop with applications in food, fiber, construction, and medicinal industries. Cannabis plants with low Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations (industrial hemp) have recently been legalized for industrial cultivation by multiple nations across the globe. This crop has been traditionally ignored and lags behind established crops like wheat, corn, and cotton in breeding and the development of novel traits. We employed chemical mutagenesis to develop novel traits in industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). We used ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) as the chemical mutagen and determined the lethal dose (LD50) to be 2% (v/v) for 5 h for the heat-tolerant (HT) (diploid, 2n) accession and 2% (v/v) for 8 h for the 4x (tetraploid, 2n = 4x = 40) accession. The variations in seed germination percentages among mutagen treatments were found to be highly significant (p < 0.05). The parental generation (M0) seeds were treated with the LD50 dosage of the mutagen to produce mutant M1 populations. The first mutant generation (M1) and second mutant generation (M2) plants displayed a wide array of phenotypes such as dwarf plants, twin seedlings, leaf variegation, fasciation, purple anthocyanins, hard/leathery leaf texture, trifoliate leaves, bushy stature, and unusual leaf shape, which is a testament to the effectiveness and accuracy of the LD50 dosage calibration results. Full article

Floral hemp production requires agronomic practices that maximize biomass and cannabidiol (CBD) yield while maintaining legal tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) limits. A two-year field study was conducted at the Tennessee State University Agricultural Research and Education Center to evaluate floral hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) production under a Non-Chemical System (NCS) and Chemical System (CS) at a uniform nitrogen (N) rate of 100 kg ha⁻¹. Four cultivars (‘Fukuoka’, ‘Rushmore’, ‘Cherry’, and ‘Virginia’), two mulch types (plastic and straw), and two propagation methods (seed and clone) were evaluated for effects on biomass yield, plant height, CBD and THC concentrations, and the Compliance Regulatory Index (CRI). The production system did not significantly affect biomass; however, plant height and CBD and THC concentrations were significantly influenced. Across cultivars, mulched plants under CS were taller than those under NCS. Seed-propagated ‘Fukuoka’ under NCS and ‘Virginia’ under CS produced the highest THC concentration. ‘Rushmore’ exhibited greater consistency across production systems and propagation methods. In 2023, plastic mulch increased biomass by 38% compared with no mulch, while in 2024, straw mulch increased biomass by 154%. CRI varied significantly among cultivars and was influenced by year and propagation method. ‘Cherry’ clones and seed-propagated ‘Fukuoka’ showed greater CBD potential at the 0.3% THC threshold in 2023. Although CS with seed propagation showed a slight agronomic advantage, NCS demonstrated comparable performance. Significant performance declines in the second year suggest that continuous monocropping of floral hemp may compromise long-term productivity. A supplementary 2022 harvest-timing study demonstrated cultivar-dependent differences in cannabinoid accumulation and THC compliance during floral maturation. Full article

The objective of this study was to determine the energy balance and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the production of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) under semi-arid Central Anatolian conditions. A field experiment was conducted using the registered industrial hemp cultivar ‘Vezir’ under semi-arid conditions, and energy use indicators and greenhouse gas emissions were quantified through an input–output analysis based on field-level agricultural inputs and biomass yield. The total energy input was calculated as 13,688.50 MJ ha^–1, of which chemical fertilizers (54.339%) and diesel fuel (32.09%) jointly accounted for more than 90%, followed by irrigation water (4.66%), machinery 2.87%), and human labor (0.21%). The corresponding energy output reached 388,073.80 MJ ha^–1, yielding an energy use efficiency of 28.35, a specific energy of 0.62 MJ kg^–1, an energy productivity of 1.61 kg MJ^–1 and a net energy of 374,385.28 MJ ha^–1. Of the total energy input, 36.95% was direct and 63.05% indirect, while 89.35% originated from non-renewable sources and only 10.65% originated from renewable sources. Total GHG emissions amounted to 590.14 kg CO₂ eq ha^–1, with diesel fuel and nitrogen fertilizer identified as the dominant emission sources. These findings indicate that industrial hemp combines high productivity with low environmental burdens under semi-arid conditions. Beyond its favorable energy balance, hemp offers potential contributions to climate-smart agriculture through efficient resource use, reduced greenhouse gas emissions per unit of output, and diversification of cropping systems in water-limited environments. Therefore, industrial hemp can support the transition toward more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems in semi-arid regions of Türkiye and similar agroecological zones. Full article

Cannabis sativa L. is a multipurpose plant widely cultivated for fiber, food, medicinal products, and the production of bioactive compounds, including psychoactive cannabinoids. Fungal endophytes are a promising source of antimicrobial compounds used for biological control and sustainable crop production. However, the fungal endophytes associated with C. sativa have been poorly investigated, and their biological activities are still largely unexplored. Thus, this study aimed to identify fungal endophytes from C. sativa (marijuana and hemp biotypes) and to screen for their antagonistic activities against some plant pathogens. Based on ITS sequence analysis, a total of 103 fungal endophyte isolates (21 genera) were preliminarily identified from both biotypes, including 62 isolates (13 genera) from hemp and 41 isolates (nine genera) from marijuana. Fusarium was the dominant genus found in hemp (45%), while Nigrospora was the dominant genus isolated from marijuana (32%). Ten selected fungal endophytes were evaluated for in vitro antagonistic activity against four bacterial pathogens, Pectobacterium spp. (PC 01 and PC 02) and Ralstonia solanacearum (RA 01 and RA 02), and four fungal pathogens, Fusarium solani (FU 01), F. oxysporum (FU 02), and Sclerotium sp. (SC 01 and SC 02), all of which are causal agents of potato diseases. Among the tested fungal endophytes, Colletotrichum sp. (SLLC-M24) and Nigrospora sp. (SLLC-H15) exhibited the strongest antifungal activity against Fusarium spp. (FU 01 and FU 02), with inhibition rates ranging from 56 to 64%. In addition, Pestalotiopsis sp. (SLLC-H5) demonstrated effective antibacterial activity against all tested bacterial pathogens, producing inhibition zones ranging from 19 to 23 mm. This finding represents an important step toward discovering novel and promising endophytes associated with Cannabis and their biological control potential for utilization in sustainable agriculture. Full article

Hemp sprouts are emerging as a potential functional food, although their phytochemical composition remains poorly characterized. The study investigated the effect of genotype on growth, phytochemical accumulation, and antioxidant activity in four-day-old sprouts from eight hemp genotypes: Carmagnola Selezionata (CS), Fibrante, Carmaleonte, Codimono, Futura 75, USO 31, Felsinea, and Santhica 27. An integrated approach combining spectrophotometric assays, HPLC, and GC-MS analyses was used. Sprout length showed limited variability across genotypes, whereas biomass accumulation varied markedly, with CS, Fibrante, Felsinea, and Santhica 27 exhibiting the highest fresh and dry weights, and Carmaleonte and Codimono the lowest. Phytosterols (46.3%) and phenolics (33.9%) represented the predominant classes, followed by tocols (17.3%) and carotenoids (2.5%), whereas terpenes occurred only in traces (0.1%) and cannabinoids were not detected in any genotype. Fibrante, Futura 75, and Santhica 27 accumulated comparatively higher levels of several bioactive classes among the genotypes investigated, whereas the remining genotypes displayed more selective enrichment patterns. In particular, Fibrante, Futura 75, and Santhica 27 showed the highest accumulation of phenolics, particularly kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, vitexin, isovitexin, and gallic acid, together with elevated levels of tocopherols and phytosterols. Fibrante also exhibited the highest carotenoid levels, particularly lutein and violaxanthin, and the highest antioxidant activity. CS, Codimono, USO 31, and Felsinea generally showed lower metabolite accumulation, although they maintained a moderate accumulation of specific lipid-soluble antioxidants and terpenes. Carmaleonte displayed the lowest levels across most metabolites. Overall, among the analyzed genotypes, Fibrante, followed by Santhica 27 and Futura 75, exhibited the most favorable combination of phytochemical composition and biomass production, making these genotypes promising candidates for further studies in the field of functional foods. Full article

Hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.) is recognised as a valuable source of nutritionally important lipids, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Despite growing interest in hempseed oil, the combined influence of extraction and derivatisation on fatty acid profiling remains poorly understood, limiting comparability and standardisation of lipidomic analyses, particularly for fibre-type hemp cultivars. This study evaluated the effects of microwave-assisted and Soxhlet extraction, combined with acidic and basic derivatisation, on fatty acid composition, lipid quality indices, and oxidative stability in Romanian fibre-type hempseed cultivars. The analysed oils were dominated by linoleic and α-linolenic acids, with favourable PUFA/SFA and ω-6/ω-3 ratios, low atherogenic and thrombogenic indices, and high hypocholesterolaemic/hypercholesterolaemic ratios, indicating excellent nutritional quality. Statistical analyses confirmed that extraction and derivatisation significantly influenced fatty acid composition and lipid quality indices, while principal component analysis identified extraction methodology as the main source of variability. Oxidative stability showed moderate correlations with fatty acid composition, suggesting that differences in lipid profiles may influence susceptibility to oxidation. Overall, the study demonstrates that Romanian fibre-type hemp cultivars are valuable sources of nutritionally favourable lipids and emphasises the need for standardised extraction and derivatisation protocols to improve the reliability and comparability of hempseed lipidomic analyses. Full article

Cannabinoid content can vary several-fold across Cannabis sativa L. cultivars that carry functional, closely related CBDA synthase (CBDAS) and THCA synthase (THCAS) alleles, a difference that coding-sequence variation among functional alleles does not fully explain. Structural and copy-number variation at the synthase loci, the functional or pseudogenised state of synthase alleles, and linkage at the B locus account for much of the qualitative drug-versus-hemp chemotype; however, these genetic factors do not fully explain the quantitative, several-fold variation in cannabinoid content among cultivars that carry functional, near-identical synthase alleles. Three independent lines of evidence now indicate that chromatin-level regulation contributes to this variation. H3K4me3 and H3K56ac co-occupy the promoters and gene bodies of THCAS, CBDAS, OLS, and OAC exclusively in glandular trichome tissue while H3K27me3 marks the identical loci in vegetative tissues, indicating that a Polycomb-to-Trithorax chromatin switch is associated with trichome-specific cannabinoid gene expression, potentially independently of transcription factor availability. Progressive DNA hypomethylation accumulates during micropropagation in a cultivar-specific manner, with promoter-region differentially methylated positions reaching up to 22% by twenty subcultures, identifying DNA methylation maintenance as a candidate determinant of epigenetic stability in clonally propagated material, although the functional consequences for cannabinoid pathway gene expression and yield remain to be quantitatively established. In Cannabis indica cell suspension cultures, UV irradiation increases genome-wide DNA methylation (detected by MSAP, which does not resolve locus-specific changes) and elevates CBDAS transcript levels approximately 4-fold relative to non-irradiated controls. This coupling of an environmentally triggered methylation change to cannabinoid pathway gene expression in the Cannabis genus is suggestive, but the genome-wide MSAP signal and the use of C. indica cell cultures mean the locus-specific methylation change at the CBDAS promoter remains to be demonstrated. These findings identify specific, experimentally documented chromatin states as candidate targets for dCas9-effector intervention, including the H3K27me3 repressive state at cannabinoid loci that could be addressed by dCas9-KDM6A and the propagation-induced CG hypomethylation that could be addressed by dCas9-DNMT3A; these editing strategies remain hypotheses that have not yet been tested in Cannabis. We synthesize functional evidence from Catharanthus roseus, Papaver somniferum, and Artemisia annua demonstrating that equivalent chromatin switches control secondary metabolite yield in medicinal plants, evaluate which dCas9-effector architectures are most appropriate for each Cannabis chromatin target, and identify the critical mechanistic gaps that must be closed before epigenome editing can be rationally deployed for cannabinoid yield enhancement in Cannabis. Full article

Silicon (Si) is a beneficial, non-essential element used in cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.), yet cannabis-specific evidence is scattered across hemp and drug-type cannabis. Because the marketable organ in drug-type and medicinal cannabis is the inflorescence, whose cannabinoid and terpene quality and strict residue limits make every fertigation input unusually consequential, a cannabis-focused synthesis of silicon use is needed. This comprehensive review aims to synthesize that evidence and clarify when, how, and in what form Si supplementation is justified across the crop cycle, based on a four-database search (covering the literature up to May 2026, with the cannabis-specific evidence base spanning 2019–2026). Cannabis is an intermediate Si accumulator depositing silica in bast fibers and trichomes, with benefits clearest in propagation and vegetative growth. Root Si lowers cadmium and zinc uptake and supports antioxidant defense; foliar nano-Si aids drought tolerance, and Si suppresses powdery mildew while raising tissue Si ~2.1-fold and inflorescence biomass ~1.2-fold without reducing cannabinoid or terpene quality. On current evidence, Si appears best deployed as a resilience-enhancing, stage-specific input within an integrated program rather than a universal additive. Future research should prioritize genotype- or chemotype-resolved dose–response studies on cannabinoid and terpene yields and late-flower-application safety. Full article

Synthetic dyes from textile effluents represent a major environmental concern due to their persistence and toxicity. Reactive Black 5 (RB5) is widely used in the textile industry and is commonly applied as a model azo compound in sorption studies. This study comparatively evaluates the sorption performance of raw and carbonized sorbents derived from industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) biowaste using an integrated experimental and theoretical approach. The sorbents were prepared through washing, drying, and phosphoric acid-assisted carbonization followed by pyrolysis. Structural and physicochemical properties were characterized using elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, and SEM microscopy. Sorption performance toward RB5 was investigated through batch kinetic and equilibrium experiments, supported by kinetic (pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intraparticle diffusion models) and isotherm (Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin) modeling. Molecular docking simulations were performed to provide mechanistic insight into dye–sorbent interactions. Both materials exhibited rapid sorption kinetics, reaching equilibrium within approximately 45 min, with the pseudo-second-order model suggesting that surface-controlled interactions dominate the sorption rate. Molecular modeling, based on extensive conformational sampling, indicated a strong binding affinity between RB5 and cellulose-based structures, primarily associated with hydrogen bonding and other favorable noncovalent interactions. In contrast, graphene-based models revealed sorption governed by π–π interactions and confinement effects, supporting the experimentally observed differences between raw and carbonized sorbents. Full article

Cannabis sativa L. is an economically significant multi-use crop valued for fiber, seed, and phytochemical production. Compared with other crops, advancement in Cannabis sativa has been slow due to regulatory constraints and genetic resource limitations. Recent advances in technology have transformed the research landscape, supporting a deeper understanding of the genetic architecture underlying key agronomic traits. This review summarizes current progress in Cannabis sativa genetics and genomics, mainly focusing on structural genome organization, including chromosome-level assemblies and emerging pangenomic resources that capture species-wide diversity. We explore the molecular basis of key agronomic traits, including sex determination, cannabinoid biosynthesis, fiber quality, seed composition, disease resistance, and abiotic stress tolerance, highlighting their complex regulatory networks. Functional genomics tools including virus-induced gene silencing, transient expression systems, and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing are reviewed as approaches enabling direct gene functional validation. We further review integration of these resources with molecular breeding strategies, including marker-assisted and genomic selection, to accelerate elite genotype development. Finally, we address persistent challenges such as genomic complexity, reference bias, and phenotyping limitations while outlining future research directions. Together, these advances position C. sativa as a compelling system for both fundamental plant biology and applied crop improvement. Full article

The study evaluated 6 mm pellets derived from whole hemp plants (Cannabis sativa L., cv. Futura 75) to assess their potential as a solid biofuel. The pellets had a low moisture content of 6.3–7.0% on an analytical basis, which is favorable for storage and combustion. Ash content was approximately 4.0–4.3%, while gross calorific values ranged from 17.3 MJ·kg⁻¹ as received to 19.4 MJ·kg⁻¹ on a dry ash-free basis. The net calorific values ranged from 16.1 to 17.5 MJ·kg⁻¹. Based on the elemental analysis, the carbon content was 46.8–49.4%, the hydrogen content was 5.5%, the nitrogen content was 0.68–0.73%, and the sulfur content was 0.05%. Compared with many agricultural biomass fuels, hemp pellets contained relatively low sulfur and moderate nitrogen contents. Hemp pellets from whole plants show favorable physicochemical properties, making them a viable renewable solid biofuel resource. Full article